Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 212 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 212: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a page of running poetry text, numbered 194, presenting a poem titled "To Fortune" attributed to Metastasio. The poem is a defiant address to Fortune as an "Unstable Goddess," asserting the speaker's refusal to fear or submit to her threats. The speaker claims their soul grows stronger through adversity, comparing themselves to steel that becomes keener when hammered. The verse employs classical poetic language and formal rhyming couplets typical of Victorian-era anthologized poetry.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
194 TO FORTUNE. FROM METASTASIO. UnsTABLE Goddess! why, with care severe, Still dost thou strew with thorns my rugged path ? Thinkst thou I tremble at thy frowns? or e’er Will crouch submissive to avert thy wrath ? Preserve thy threats for thine unhappy slaves, The shuddering victims of thy treacherous power ; My soul, thou knowest, amid o’erwhelming waves, Shajl smile superior in the roughest hour. With me as oft as thou wouldest proudly wage The combat urged by thy malicious ire, Full well thou knowest, that from thy baffled rage My soul has seemed fresh vigour to acquire ; So the bright steel beneath the hammer’s blows More polished, more refined, and keener grows. Connie DOO KS.COmnn)